Thermoelectric power generation device

Abstract

A second fluid having a higher temperature than a first fluid, which flows in a duct, flows in contact with outside fins. Opposed regions of each power generation module and the duct apply pressure to and in contact with each other. Opposed regions of each power generation module and a corresponding one of a first outside plate and a second outside plate apply pressure to and in contact with each other. The duct is formed from a material having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than the first outside plate and the second outside plate. Additionally, two power generation modules are not necessarily required, and at least one power generation module is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A thermoelectric power generation device comprising:
 a duct in which a first fluid flows, the first fluid flowing along a longitudinal axis of the duct; 
 a first power generation module and a second power generation module which are in contact with opposed outside surfaces of the duct respectively and each of which includes therein a thermoelectric power generation element; 
 a first outside plate and a second outside plate each of which is in contact with an outside surface of a corresponding one of the first power generation module and the second power generation module on its opposite side from the duct, each of the first outside plate and the second outside plate having end portions, the end portions of the first outside plate being in contact with and overlapping the end portions of the second outside plate; 
 a plurality of welded portions that join the overlapping end portions of the first outside plate with the end portions of the second outside plate; and 
 outside fins each of which is provided on an outside surface of a corresponding one of the first outside plate and the second outside plate on its opposite sides from a corresponding one of the first power generation module and the second power generation module, wherein: 
 a second fluid having a higher temperature than the first fluid flows in contact with the outside fins; 
 a region of each of the first power generation module and the second power generation module, and a region of the duct, which are opposed to each other, apply pressure to and are in contact with each other; 
 a region of each of the first power generation module and the second power generation module and a corresponding one of the first outside plate and the second outside plate, which are opposed to each other, apply pressure to and are in contact with each other; and 
 the duct is formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the first outside plate and the second outside plate, the thermoelectric power generation device, further comprising inclusions that are provided respectively: 
 between the first power generation module and the duct; 
 between the second power generation module and the duct; 
 between the first power generation module and the first outside plate; and 
 between the second power generation module and the second outside plate, wherein each of the inclusions is formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the first outside plate and the second outside plate; 
 each of the outside fins is constructed of an assembly having a plurality of wave portions, the plurality of wave portions of each of the outside fins overlapping the plurality of wave portions of another of the outside fins, an overlapping direction of the outside fins being in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the duct; 
 each of the outside fins has a high rigidity to resist expansion and contraction, the high rigidity of the outside fins being in the overlapping direction of the outside fins; and 
 the end portions overlap in the overlapping direction of the outside fins to resist bending stress. 
 
     
     
       2. The thermoelectric power generation device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the inclusions includes a graphite sheet. 
     
     
       3. The thermoelectric power generation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the duct includes a first duct and a second duct that are arranged to be opposed to each other, the thermoelectric power generation device further comprising a central member that is provided between the first duct and the second duct and is formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the first duct and the second duct. 
     
     
       4. The thermoelectric power generation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a central member that is provided inside the duct and is configured from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the duct. 
     
     
       5. The thermoelectric power generation device according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the duct includes a flexible wall part on a side wall of the duct; and 
 the flexible wall part extends due to a thermal expansion of the central member. 
 
     
     
       6. The thermoelectric power generation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the duct is formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than iron. 
     
     
       7. The thermoelectric power generation device according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of the duct is one of aluminum, zinc, duralumin, brass, copper, and magnesium, or a composite thereof. 
     
     
       8. The thermoelectric power generation device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the duct includes therein a plurality of divided passages each of which has a vertically long cross-sectional shape; 
 the first fluid flows separately through each of the plurality of divided passages; and 
 a vertically long direction of the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of divided passages extends in a direction to connect the first power generation module and the second power generation module.